A summary of the Sabbath vs Sunday evidence

blog.theotokos.co.za

Stephen Korsman June 16, 2018

This is a useful summary of the biblical evidence against

sabbath observance and for Sunday observance.
The sabbath is not necessary for Christians –
Col 2:14-17, Gal 4:10-11

Whichever day we keep, we honour God by

doing so – Romans 14:5-6

The 10 Commandments were the words of the

Old Covenant – Deut 4:13, Exod 34:28

The sabbath was the sign of the Old Covenant

– Exod 31:13-18, Lev 24:8, Ezek 20:12

The Old Covenant was given to Israel, not to

anyone before – Deut 5:3, Neh 9:14, Ezek 20:12

The Old Covenant pointed to a better New

Covenant – Heb 8, Jer 31:31
The Resurrection of Christ

The mediators of the Old Covenant were Moses

and the Levitical priesthood but the mediator of the New Covenant is Jesus – Heb 8:6, Heb
12:24

The New Covenant is Christ’s blood shed for as at Calvary – Luke 22:20

Jesus lived under the Old Covenant and not everything he did is applicable to Christians –
Luke 2:21, Matt 8:4

For the only Christian gatherings in the Bible where the day of the week is named, the day is
Sunday – Acts 20:7, 1 Cor 16:2

There are no instances mentioned in the Bible of Christians observing the sabbath (except
where the practice is criticised – Col 2:14-17, Gal 4:10-11, Romans 14:5-6)

There are no instructions in the Bible that Christians should continue keeping the sabbath

The sabbath was a perpetual sign for all generations, but so were circumcision, incense,
and the Levitical priesthood – Gen 17:10-14, Exod 30:8, Exod 29:9 – perpetual signs until
they were no longer needed or the end of a covenant came

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The Mosaic law was given at Pentecost for the Old Covenant, and the Holy Spirit was given
at Pentecost for the New Covenant

Creation ended on the 7th day of the week. On the 8th day (Shemini Atzeret) the Torah
readings ended in Deut 34 and a new cycle of readings began with Gen 1. The Israelites
dwelt in booths to remind them of coming out of Egypt. The 8th day ends this, and Jesus’
resurrection on the 8th day reminds Christians of our release from bondage to sin.

Number of important events in the New Testament taking place on the sabbath – zero

Number of important events in the New Testament taking place on Sunday – several:

Jesus Christ rose from the dead on Sunday

– Luke 24:1-12
Jesus Christ rose from the dead on the third
day (Sunday) – Luke 24:21
Christ appeared to the disciples on the road
to Emmaus – Luke 24:13
Jesus opens their eyes with the Eucharist –
Luke 24:30-31
Jesus opened the minds of the Apostles to
the Scriptures – Luke 24:45
Jesus appeared to the disciples without
Thomas – John 20:19
Jesus appeared to the disciples with Thomas
one week later – John 20:26
The Apostles were given the Holy Spirit and
Icon of the Resurrection
the power to forgive sins – John 20:19-23
The Apostles received their Great
Commission to go and teach all nations – Matt 28
Jesus told the Apostles to wait in the city until they were to be clothed with power
from on high – Luke 24:49
On the seventh Sunday after the resurrection, the Holy Spirit descended upon the
Apostles – Acts 2:1-4
Immediately after receiving the Holy Spirit, Peter gave a powerful address on the
Gospel resulting in 3000 conversions – Acts 2:41
The first Christian gathering where the day of the week was mentioned was on the
first day – Acts 20:7
Paul instructed that collections be taken up on the first day of the week – 1 Cor 16:1-
2

Why Sunday fulfills Saturday theologically and is therefore logical to use as the primary day
of worship:

Sabbath:

1. Looks back to the exodus from Egypt

2. Looks back to the old creation that turned to sin
3. Offered rest to God’s chosen nation
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 4. Old Covenant law
5. Light created on the first day of the week

Sunday:

1. The exodus type fulfilled – Jesus defeated the ultimate death and we are freed from
sin
2. We are a new creation in Christ, a better creation than the first – 2 Cor 5:17, Gal 6:15
3. We all find our rest in Jesus, our true sabbath – Matt 11:28, Heb 4
4. New Covenant law leaves us free to celebrate any aspect of Jesus’ life we choose
5. Jesus the light of the world rises on the first day of the week

Galatians 4 highlights those who cling to the Old Covenant law and calls them Hagar, as
opposed to those who follow Jesus being symbolised by Sarah.

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